Guwahati, May 5: The Indian National Congress is set to miss out on the post of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assam Legislative Assembly after securing only 19 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections, falling short of the minimum requirement for formal recognition.
Although its ally, Raijor Dal, won two additional seats, taking the opposition’s combined tally to 21, the rules governing LoP status do not allow for aggregation of alliance numbers. The criteria mandate that a single party must independently secure at least 24 seats to qualify for the position.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier clarified the requirement, stating that the threshold must be met by a party contesting on its own symbol. He had also indicated that, beyond numbers, a party should demonstrate representation from at least six indigenous seats, expressing doubts even before the election about the Congress meeting these conditions.
Sarma had further dismissed the possibility of LoP recognition based on alliance backing, noting that support from parties such as the Assam Jatiya Parishad or Raijor Dal would not alter the eligibility criteria.
With the Congress failing to meet the benchmark, the Assam Assembly is likely to function without a formally recognised Leader of the Opposition. The absence of an LoP could have implications for legislative proceedings, including reduced institutional leverage for the opposition in debates and participation in key committees.
